The Settlement as a Model—Cpposition to the Parliamentary Elections—China and Armament Reduction—Chinese Advisors and the S. M. C.—The Tsing House Berated The energetic measures taken by Governor Wang Hu in the suppression of rice smuggling seem to be effective; and His Excellency is highly commended for his effort in behalf of the people's welfare. The sewerage system and other health measures adopted in the Settlement are praised and re-! commended to Chinese authorities as examples worthy to be followed in interior towns. A warning is given as regards the epidemic small pox and diphtheria, raging in several northern places; and a few cases are said to have occurred in Shanghai. The Japanese viewpoint as regards the desirability of educating the Chinese people on Japanes lines, as expressed at their chambers of commerce conference, is condemned for being too selfish and aggressive.
Of provincial matters, Yunnan is alleged to have mortgaged all(?) its mines for a large loan, which is too preposterous to be true. The report that Hunan had cancelled its autonomy in favour of the North has called forti a prompt denial_ from Commander-in-Chief Chao Hong-ti. Hunan is in fact trying to draft a provincial constitutional law. The vindictive spirit shown by Tuchun Chen Kuang-yuan of Kiangsi against his vanquished foe, Chang Tsungch'ang, deserves more pity than scorn. The lengthy holiday given students during the Junar new year is criticized as senseless, as it tends to make students forget their lessons.
The Chinese Press also touches upon several other questions, including the baneful effect of speculation upon legitimate business; fluctuations in sterling exchange and their effect on our finances; continued opposition to three new taxes; and Olympic Games and children's sports.
Tue Execrion or M.P.'s.
Since General Lu Yung-hsiang, Tuchun of Chekiang, has broken the ice by suggesting to Peking the advisability of postponing the Parliamentary election until the country is reunited, says the "Sinwanpao," the tuchuns of three Yangtze provinces, namely, Hupeh, Kiangsi and Kiangsu, have jointly circulated a telegram, supporting this suggestion. This has been followed by Tuchun Li Hou-chi of Fukien, who asked Peking for permission to postpone the same} election in his province for two months, thus making five provinces of the North that have voted' against the immediate election of a new Parliament.
After the ill-advised Mandate on unification was published, Kuangsi has been only province of the Southwest to renew its allegiance to the North. Leaving out Yunnan, Kuangtung, Hunan and Kueichow, which are more or less inclined toward autonomy, we find Szechuan also a recalcitrant province, having repented of its pledge of loyalty to the North. From the above account, we feel already sure that 10 provinces at Jeast will not hold their Pariamentary election. The birth of a new Parliament is hardly possible in these circumstances. Peking is, however, consistently showing a brave front and exhorting the provinces to obey the orders of the President.
The paper docs not think a Parliament to be very important to China, since the same corrupt tactics of old will surely be pursued in securing the election of its members. Without this_make-believe legislature, the Peking Government will indeed be hard-pressed in trying to maintain ita position. It is a significant fact that both the adherents of Marshal Tuan Chi-jui and the Chihli Party are turning down this election be~ sides the southwest.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.